Use
This section provides information about the ways in which Australians use e-cigarettes (vapes). It addresses how much and how often Australians use e-cigarettes, as well as methods and locations of use.
The primary source of data used in this section is the 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024). The NDSHS is a triennial general population survey of Australians' awareness, attitudes, and behaviours relating to alcohol and other drug use. It is the best data source available to provide a national population demographic profile of Australians’ e-cigarette use behaviours.
Please note that the data reported in this section was collected prior to new legislation introduced in 2024 limiting the availability of e-cigarettes for purchase in Australia. As a result, usage trends may since have changed. For up-to-date data on e-cigarette use after the implementation of the new regulations, some jurisdictions collect annual local data that may be available on request.
What proportion of Australians use e-cigarettes (or vapes)?
In 2022-23, 1 in 5 Australians (20%) aged 14+ had ever vaped, and 7% reported that they currently vape.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Supplementary Tables 3.1 and 3.3.
Please note: “Current” vaping refers to people who use e-cigarettes daily, weekly, monthly, or less than monthly. “Lifetime” or “ever” vaping refers to people who have used e-cigarettes at least once in their lives.
Has the proportion of Australians who use e-cigarettes (or vapes) changed over time?
The proportion of Australians (aged 14+) who vape has increased significantly over time. Lifetime use of e-cigarettes increased from 9% in 2016 to 20% in 2022-23, and current use increased from 1% to 7% over the same period.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Supplementary Tables 3.1 and 3.3
Are men or women in Australia more likely to use e-cigarettes (or vapes)?
In 2022-23, a larger proportion of Australian men (8%) than women (6%) aged 14+ reported that they currently use e-cigarettes.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Supplementary Table 3.9.
Please note: Australians who identify as non-binary or a different gender identity were not able to be included in the current analyses due to small numbers.
“Current” vaping refers to people who use e-cigarettes daily, weekly, monthly, or less than monthly.
Are younger or older Australians more likely to use e-cigarettes (or vapes)?
Young people aged 18-24 were the most likely to have used e‑cigarettes in 2022–2023, with almost half (49%) having vaped at least once in their lifetime, and over 1 in 5 (21%) reporting that they currently vape.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Supplementary Tables 3.1 and 3.3.
Please note: “Current” vaping refers to people who use e-cigarettes daily, weekly, monthly, or less than monthly. “Lifetime” or “ever” vaping refers to people who have used e-cigarettes at least once in their lives.
Does the use of e-cigarettes (or vapes) vary by geographical location?
The use of e-cigarettes varies according to the socioeconomic status of an area. Generally, people living in more advantaged areas are more likely to currently vape, while people living in disadvantaged areas are less likely. This is the opposite pattern to that seen for tobacco cigarettes.
In addition, the prevalence of vaping varies according to “remoteness”. In 2022-23, a significantly higher proportion of Australians who lived in major cities vaped, compared with those living in regional or remote areas (8% vs 5%, respectively).
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Supplementary Table 3.11 & NCETA secondary analyses, 2025.
Please note: “Current” vaping refers to people who use e-cigarettes daily, weekly, monthly, or less than monthly. “Lifetime” or “ever” vaping refers to people who have used e-cigarettes at least once in their lives.
How often do Australians use e-cigarettes (or vapes)?
Among the 7% of Australians aged 14+ who reported currently vaping in 2022-23, almost half (49%) did so daily. Nineteen percent vaped weekly, 13% monthly, and 19% less often than monthly.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Supplementary Table 3.8.
Please note: “Current” vaping refers to people who use e-cigarettes daily, weekly, monthly, or less than monthly.
Do men or women in Australia use e-cigarettes (or vapes) more often?
Among the 7% of Australians aged 14+ who reported currently vaping in 2022-23, women were significantly more likely than men to report using e-cigarettes daily (51% vs 48%), while men were more likely to report vaping weekly (22% vs 15%).
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. NCETA Secondary Analysis 2025.
Please note: Australians who identify as non-binary or a different gender identity were not able to be included in the current analyses due to small numbers. Significance is established as p<0.05.
“Current” vaping refers to people who use e-cigarettes daily, weekly, monthly, or less than monthly.
Do younger or older Australians use e-cigarettes (or vapes) more often?
Consistently across age groups from 18 to 50+ years, the largest proportion of Australians who currently vape do so daily.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. NCETA Secondary Analysis 2025.
Please note: “Current” vaping refers to people who use e-cigarettes daily, weekly, monthly, or less than monthly.
What is the average age at which Australians start to use e-cigarettes (or vapes)?
In 2022-23, the average age at which Australians (aged 14+) who currently vape used an e-cigarette for the first time was 29 years. This was a significant decrease from 2019, when the average age of initiation was 31 years.
For information about the age of vaping initiation among young people, refer to FAQ At what age do Australian school students aged 12-17 years begin to use e-cigarettes (or vapes)?
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. Supplementary Table 3.32.
Please note: “Current” vaping refers to people who use e-cigarettes daily, weekly, monthly, or less than monthly.
How many Australians use e-cigarettes (or vapes) concurrently with tobacco cigarettes?
In 2022-23, 2% of Australians reported that they currently both smoke tobacco cigarettes and use e‑cigarettes (an increase from 0.7% in 2016). Among Australians who currently vape, 21% also smoke tobacco cigarettes daily. However, more than a third (37%) of Australians who have ever vaped reported that they had never smoked tobacco the time they first tried an e-cigarette.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey online report and Supplementary Tables 3.27 and 3.41.
Please note: “Current” vaping refers to people who use e-cigarettes daily, weekly, monthly, or less than monthly. “Lifetime” or “ever” vaping refers to people who have used e-cigarettes at least once in their lives.